Renewable Energy on the Increase in Florida

FLORIDA – According to a Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) news release on November 13, energy generated from renewable sources continues to increase in Florida, while a declining population reduced the need for new power generation facilities. Each year, the Commission gathers information from utility companies on estimated power generating needs and proposed power plant additions over the next decade.  Directed by statute, the 10-year Site Plan for Florida’s Electric Utilities ensures that future energy planning will meet future energy needs at a reasonable cost for customers.

Current state renewable energy generation levels are approximately 1,170 megawatts (MW), with another 750 MW of new renewable projects planned.  Florida utilities also report about 600 residential renewable energy interconnections, with a capacity of approximately 2.8 MW.  Residential renewable generation is expected to grow as customers benefit from the PSC’s recent net metering rule that streamlines the interconnection process.

The PSC report attributes a declining population to a 4,000 MW reduction in future generation planned by utilities.  The majority of the new additions are gas-fired facilities, with nuclear representing the next largest fuel source addition. Current utility-owned electric generation state wide is approximately 55,000 MW.

Laurel Passera

Laurel is a Senior Renewables Analyst for IREC attorneys Keyes, Fox & Wiedman, and engages in research and analysis of net metering and interconnection regulatory trends to support IREC’s outreach and communication efforts. In 2009, Laurel was a Southeast Regional Network fellow for the Southeast Environmental Leadership Program and currently sits on Raleigh City Council’s Environmental Advisory Board.